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Cigars, painting, and crosswords: the surprising hobbies of 17 presidents
Cigars, painting, and crosswords: the surprising hobbies of 17 presidents
Ellen Cranley,Ellen CranleyFeb 12, 2019, 23:49 IST
Bettmann / Contributor via Getty Images, Corbis Historical via Getty Images
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The lesser-known habits among past American presidents range from athletic to creative, and even to the delicious.
These habits helped the leaders of the free world unwind.
Though presidential legacies are mostly comprised of the policies that shape society and government for years after they leave office, some who served in the White House had memorable ways of unwinding as well.
Many presidents continued to be avid athletes from their youth into office, but some other passions including painting, crosswords, and swimming were a part of their terms as well.
Here are some of the unexpected ways presidents have passed their time:
Jefferson's time in France fueled his passion for the country's fine wine and unique foods including french fries, ice cream, and mac and cheese, which he's credited for popularizing in America.
The sixth president was notoriously meticulous, keeping daily journals that detailed his morning routine. After waking up around 4 or 5 a.m., Adams would walk two miles to the Potomac River and leave his clothes by the shore to swim.
After a sickly childhood, Roosevelt was an avid sportsman who boxed throughout his presidency. The hobby was put to use by political cartoonists to illustrate his competitive nature as a politician.
After losing his ability to walk to polio at the age of 39, Roosevelt took up swimming three times a week to strengthen the muscles in his arms, stomach, and lower back.
After a few months, Roosevelt was able to walk short distances with the help of a cane or assistance from an aide. After his election, the New York Daily News donated a pool to the White House so Roosevelt could continue the practice.
Johnson spent 490 days, or a quarter of his presidency at his Central Texas ranch, combining work and vacation so seamlessly it came to be known as the "Texas White House."
Though he wasn't around to see his own face grace US postal stamps in 2007, Ford was just one of many heads of state across the world who enjoyed collecting them, contributing to its nickname as "the hobby of kings."
Reagan had a lifelong passion for riding horses that came in handy as a sporty public spectacle during his presidency, often alongside other world leaders.
Though Bush wasn't the first president to count running among his hobbies, he was reportedly the most competitive.
"George W. Bush, was not a jogger but an honest-to-God runner," Secret Service agent Dan Emmett wrote in 2014. "He ran at a six-minute-per-mile pace normally for 3 miles, and there were even fewer agents who could run with him than with President Clinton."
Though Trump's professional and personal affection for golf has been well documented, the president has said his career-best shot is a fairly impressive 66, which is six shots below a standard American course's par.
